Billy Apple Posted December 29, 2014 Author Share Posted December 29, 2014 I sat down at 4pm today and four and a half hours have flown by playing this awesome bass. It's so effortless and comfy, just a joy all round. Hopefully Discreet and I will meet in the NY and do a bit of A-B'ing with the Euro. Hey, 3000th anniversary post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1419885576' post='2643663'] I sat down at 4pm today and four and a half hours have flown by playing this awesome bass. It's so effortless and comfy, just a joy all round. Hopefully Discreet and I will meet in the NY and do a bit of A-B'ing with the Euro. [/quote] Spectors certainly do have a strange time-dilation effect - and no drugs! Played my Euro nearly all the first night I had it and most of the next day. Still spending more hours than I can afford every day playing, tweaking and adjusting it and getting to know the mighty TonePump. Look forward to the A/B session - just a bit worried that I'm going to get massive and irreversible GAS for a US Spector... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1419806455' post='2642914'] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Ooh. Is that the Active Two-band 9V [color=#000000]Spector® USA Tone Circuit™ by any chance..? [/color][/font] [/quote] Do you know, is it made by Spector or HAZ Labs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 This Bass looks fantastic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1419938372' post='2644060'] Do you know, is it made by Spector or HAZ Labs? [/quote] [size=4][color=#282828][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]The Active Two-band 9V [/font][/color][color=#000000][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Spector® USA Tone Circuit™ [/font][/color]was designed by Stuart Spector back in the 70s and made in the USA. It hasn't changed since then. The TonePump was commissioned as a cheaper alternative for non-USA Spectors in 2002 and is made by Michalik of the Czech Republic. It is known there as the BP-4 Circuit.[/size] Edited December 30, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1419940277' post='2644088'] The 9V two-band USA circuit was designed by Stuart Spector back in the 70s and made in the USA. It hasn't changed since then. Apparently the TonePump was commissioned as a cheaper alternative for non-USA Spectors in 2002 and is made by Michalik of the Czech Republic. It is known there as the BP-4 Circuit. The TonePump is more aggressive-sounding and is a bit Marmite by all accounts... I love mine, however - it shakes the floor and growls until next Tuesday. No other FX, disto or tone shaper is necessary and all adjustments are available right from the bass... my 2002 Euro was one of the first to have the TonePump fitted as standard, previously the Euro4 had either an Aguilar OBP-1 or an EMG BT circuit fitted. [/quote] I honestly thought it was HAZ Labs who made the US pre-amp. I know they make stuff for Steinberger http://www.steinbergerworld.com/hazlabs.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1419940579' post='2644091'] I honestly thought it was HAZ Labs who made the US pre-amp. I know they make stuff for Steinberger [url="http://www.steinbergerworld.com/hazlabs.htm"]http://www.steinberg...com/hazlabs.htm[/url] [/quote] Well the USA circuit was 'designed by' Spector and 'made in the USA' ...that doesn't tell you very much... but I found this on the Spector site: "1978: Spector 9V USA Circuit, designed by Stuart with HAZ Labs" [url="http://spectorbass.com/ns-body-history.html"]http://spectorbass.c...dy-history.html[/url] So a collaboration then, or more likely a HAZ Labs creation that Spector put his name to..? I suspect this to be the case, as your guts pic of the circuit does look very much like a HAZ Labs job: [url="http://www.sfcj.net/en/e_data_Preamps.html"]http://www.sfcj.net/...ta_Preamps.html[/url] [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/spector%C2%AE-club-part-57.968486/page-24#post-14080125"]http://www.talkbass....4#post-14080125[/url] Edited December 30, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I happen to have a thunderous, brash, epic, controversial and totally exhilarating Tone Pump for sale as we speak... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1419968166' post='2644475'] I happen to have a thunderous, brash, epic, controversial and totally exhilarating Tone Pump for sale as we speak... [/quote] Obviously you're not finding it [i]totally [/i]exhilarating... it is too controversial for you..? How much d'you want for it? Has it got the output trim pot? I know Damonjames was looking for one. Edited December 30, 2014 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Oh my, what a stunner! I've got to go change my underwear now... :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmo Valdemar Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1419969922' post='2644504'] Obviously you're not finding it [i]totally [/i]exhilarating... it is too controversial for you..? How much d'you want for it? Has it got the output trim pot? I know Damonjames was looking for one. [/quote] I adore the exhilaration, and the controversy bothers me not! It's just too hot so I've replaced it with a new trim pot one. The sound it makes, I cannot fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonic_Groove Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 (edited) What a Beautiful Bass!!! Well done Billy Apple! I think there were a few of us peeping down the internet at this before you secured it! It will be very interesting if you & discreet get to try your US & his Euro together & report the sims/differences to those of us looking at Spectors! I don't suppose you got to try the [color=#000000][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]Helium [/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Forte at BD when you [/font][/color][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][color=#000000]tried yours for a comparison/report??[/color][/font] [color=#000000][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif] Brendan[/font][/color] Edited January 2, 2015 by Sonic_Groove Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merello Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 That's a great bass! Many congratulations!! How did you find the guys at Bass Direct? I went there recently and wasn't that impressed. In conversation, the first thing they did was to slag off the range of a London store. Then another customer (obviously known to them) comes in and they all start looking at his bass. I asked direct questions about the bass I was playing and it was all covered by saying what a bargain it was! Not wishing to divert this thread, but as you've just made a major purchase I wanted to ask your opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Sonic_Groove' timestamp='1420159192' post='2646339'] It will be very interesting if you & discreet get to try your US & his Euro together & report the sims/differences to those of us looking at Spectors! [/quote] Hope fully Discreet and I will sort this, I was very impressed with his Euro and that went into the decision pot for making my mind up to buy the NS2. [quote name='Sonic_Groove' timestamp='1420159192' post='2646339'] I don't suppose you got to try the [color=#000000][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][size=3]Helium [/size][/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Forte at BD when you [/font][/color][font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][color=#000000]tried yours for a comparison/report??[/color][/font] [/quote] I handled it, but did not plug it in. It was a very similar weight to mine, probably pretty identical apart from aspects of the finish and the Super Singles. Had it had the EMG PJ's and Spector pre-amp I would've been interested, but it's all Aguilar and I was after the quintessential Spector sound. Very nice looking and feeling though and a keener price than the non-Fortes. [quote name='7string' timestamp='1420216433' post='2646765'] How did you find the guys at Bass Direct? I went there recently and wasn't that impressed. I wanted to ask your opinion. [/quote] I'm sorry that you did not have a good experience with Bass Direct. All I can say is that I didn't just pitch up and buy the NS2. My first call to Mark at BD started at the end of November. Mark was very helpful and he promised to get back to me with the information I was after. About a week later I received an email from him with various options and prices. After that we had a back and forth with my questions which amounted to about 30 emails. All I can say is that they were all answered promptly and helpfully. When it comes to me being a customer I can be very detailed, to the point of being finicky and fussy and can test the patience of a Saint. Bass Direct were fine in their replies. In my mind I had decided to order an NS2 from the States, which would've been a 7 month wait. I didn't really like the look of the NS2 in stock and was wanting a gloss finish. I visited the store almost to make my mind up that I would not take the stock NS2, but put an order in. I'd not phoned ahead to say I was coming and arrived in a foul mood having done 10mph from High Wycombe to Warwick! All I was asked was if I needed help by an assistant, I said if I needed help I would ask. There were two other customers in. Me and the Lady were left alone to peruse the basses. I asked if I could handle the Helium and it was taken down and given to me, again I was left alone just to get the feel of it. I asked if I could plug the bass in and was given the option of playing it through headphones as another customer was slapping away. Again I was left alone just to get on with it. Mark finished with a customer and I introduced myself and he was very friendly. By this time I'd pretty much made my mind up to buy the bass. Mark's assistant asked me what kind of stuff I was playing and said the NS2 would be ideal. I was also given the option of trying the Forte and a bass with a slim neck as a comparison. Maybe I've been quite detailed here, but it's just to show that I could not fault Bass Directs customer service and attitude at all. I was left alone, which I like, offered alternatives and not pushed into anything. Compare this with my visit to the Gallery when I was asked if I really wanted to buy the Wal I'd asked to try as it was 3K! So, that was my experience Edited January 2, 2015 by Billy Apple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Thanks for the reply! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 STUNNING bass! Fantastic purchase - congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 [quote name='cetera' timestamp='1420236937' post='2647130'] STUNNING bass! Fantastic purchase - congratulations! [/quote] Thanks for the advise along the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sonic_Groove Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 Thanks for the info. Enjoy your beautiful bass. Brendan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) Just a quick update. I was having an issue with a buzzy E string. Turns out the slot in the nut was cut a bit low. The bass was collected back from me and sent to John Williams at Noise Works in Cov. A new nut was sent from Spector, fitted with a set up and new strings. All under warranty, plus a few emails from Stuart Spector giving his apologies. Can't say fairer than that. Edited February 11, 2015 by Billy Apple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Nice to hear that. Spector rules! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Wow, that's a beast!! Want!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joppesan Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 That Helium is absolutely beautiful. I watched it a lot, when it was up for sale. I've never digged the glossy Spectors. I'm more to the satin look. And that Helium has it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 13, 2015 Author Share Posted April 13, 2015 [quote name='Joppesan' timestamp='1428869457' post='2745557'] That Helium is absolutely beautiful. I watched it a lot, when it was up for sale. I've never digged the glossy Spectors. I'm more to the satin look. And that Helium has it all. [/quote] Thanks Bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowhand_mike Posted April 14, 2015 Share Posted April 14, 2015 beautiful, not helping my Spector GAS at all, keep telling myself i cant justify buying a Rebop5 (not a patch on yours but still) but its not working, the satin finish looks luuuurvly what's the string spacing on these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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